Dailuaine 1966, 27 YO, Cadenhead’s, 45.7% B:1994. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Floral, smooth, on honey, beeswax, old furniture, some berries, tangerine and sweet creamy sherry.
Taste: Slightly soapy, floral, very smooth, slightly spicy, herbal, on tangerine, orange, some menthol and chamomile, with slight salty notes. The finish is long, slightly spicy, floral and salty, on toffee and chocolate with coffee. Subtle.
Impression: A nice, smooth creamy and subtle Dailuaine rolling down smoothly and pleasantly on the palate. Thank you Cyril.
Rating: 17/20 PA: F2

Dailuaine 1982, 30 YO, Chieftains, 52%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: On strong smooth floral notes, pollen, honey, light oaky notes, slightly smoky, light notes of cooked apples and some melon. Smells good a grassy flowery field in the summer.
Taste: Floral to very floral, very smooth, mellow, on pollen and cooked pears, lots of forest honey, chamomile, some cardamom, curcuma and other mild spices. The finish is medium, very smooth, and floral, on chamomile and forest honey.
Impression: A very smooth and floral Dailuaine with strong notes of forest honey.
Rating: 14/20 PA: A1

Dailuaine 1998, Riegger’s selection, 58.5%, B: 2012, cask 3396, 298 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, green, grassy, fruity, with some honey, apples and some yellow fruits. Rather round and fruity.
Taste: Rich, oaky, spicy, floral, rather smooth, with some pollen and light grassy and slightly bitter notes and some vanilla. The finish is medium, moderately spicy, floral, with some honey, light bitter notes and some tobacco leaves
Impression: A rather spicy and slightly bitter version of Dailuaine.
Rating: 13/20 PA: C1

Craigellachie 1994, 13 YO, Coopers choice, 46%. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Fresh, clean, grassy, herbal, and slightly smoky.
Taste: Malty, clean, grassy, very herbal, floral and on camomile. The finish is short to medium, on toffee, caramel, camomile and some fresh grass.
Impression: A whisky tasting like a herbal tea infusion.
Rating: 10/20 PA:A1

Craigellachie 1995, 18 YO, The First Editions, 53.5%, 103 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral to very floral, rich, on fine leather, dark fruits, sultanas and some beeswax.
Taste: Very smooth, floral, rich, malty, with sweet and smooth berries, leather, orange, tangerine, some nutty flavours and cocoa. The finish is medium to long, very spicy, slightly bitter, floral to very floral, on tangerine, orange, dark chocolate, some nutty flavours (wallnuts) and a light fragrance.
Impression: A very rich, sweet and rich sherried Craigellachie.
Rating: 16/20 PA:H1

Glendronach 1990 Small Batch, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 49.5%, B:2013, 534 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Sweet to very sweet, grassy, floral, lots of honey, rich, fruity and round. Very pleasant and sirupy.
Taste: Oaky, spicy, with very soft floral notes, some delicate floral notes, starch, some light green and herbal notes. The finish is medium, grassy, slightly bitter, oaky, floral, with some pollen and a touch of ginger.
Impression: A Glendronach with a pronounced oaky, clean and floral profile. A smooth and round version.
Rating: 13/20 PA: B2

Ben Nevis 1969 For the Whisky Fair, 42 YO, Clan Denny, 47.8%, B: 2012, DL 8148. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, with some apricots, peach, cooked apples, smoke and candied fruits.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, slightly smoky, with some spices, frangipane, melon, apricots, cooked fruits, a hint of eucalyptus and humus, as well as old dried smoke. The finish is medium, surprisingly spicy (ginger), with a touch of bitter smoke, some grass, humus and peach.
Impression: The nose is pleasant smooth and mellow giving the impression of a whisky softened by age, before being positively surprised by nice spicy notes on the finish. A well matured whisky that hides its age well.
Rating:14/20 PA: B1

Ben Nevis 1970, 43 YO, Acla Selections 44.2%, B:2014, 297 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, mellow, waxy, on grapefruit, vanilla, some exotic fruits, cereals and other mellow fruity notes.
Taste: Very floral, smooth, elegant, grassy to very grassy, slightly mineral, on cereals, some parsley and subtle oaky notes. The finish fades quickly. It is round, mellow, slightly woody and spicy, with some melon and grapefruit.
Impression: The nose is round, mellow and appealing, delivering similar and good impression on the palate. The finish remains on the same quality but fades rather quickly.
Rating: 13/20 PA: A2

Ben Nevis 1995, 18 YO, The Whisky Agency, 51.8%, B; 2013, 242 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Round, slightly smoky and mineral, on cooked cereals, grapefruit, pink grapefruit, vanilla and honey. It requires some time to fully open.
Taste: Intense, oaky to very oaky, slightly bitter and fragrant, grassy, on tobacco and with time, with some fruity notes of melon and grapefruit. The finish is medium, grassy to very grassy, bitter, floral, fragrant, with some tobacco smoke and a touch of gentian.
Impression: A rather mineral, grassy and bitter Ben Nevis, with sweeter fruity notes developing over time. Not for the faint hearted.
Rating: 13/20 PA: A2

Kilchoman 2008 For The Whisky Exchange, OB, 61%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very peaty, tarry and maritime, ashy, sweet and young, on bandage, disinfectant and tar.
Taste: Young, clean to very clean, very intense, phenolic, oaky, with some hemp rope, disinfectant and bandages. The finish is rather long, on complex peaty notes, some tar, soot, bandages and sea spray.
Impression: Still young, but intense and with nice complex peaty notes.
Rating: 12/20 PA:A8

Kilchoman 100% Islay 2014 Edition, OB, 50%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Young to very young, smooth, slightly sweet (new make-like), on iodine, sea breeze, some vanilla and a touch of toffee.
Taste: Young, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, malty, on vanilla, some pastries and aromatic flavours. Moderately peated. The finish is short, young to very young, sweet (new make-like), maritime, rather fragrant, slightly bitter, on seaweeds, peat smoke, some ashes and medicinal flavours.
Impression: A rather immature whisky where the full flavours of the whisky are in development. A work in progress? I would not mind an older product for the next edition. The quality of the spirit is good, but as a whisky, I find it too young.
Rating: 08/20 PA:A5

Kilchoman Loch Gorm, OB, 46%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Sweet, smooth, peaty, maritime to very maritime, on camphor, bandages, seaweeds and some kippers, as well as some faint rubbery notes. The nose smells smoother and younger than the Machir Bay.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, salty, maritime to very maritime, with a lot of iodine and camphor, some bandages, seaweeds and some diesel smoke, as well as a touch of rubber. Feels rather young, fresh and clean. The finish is rather short, young, fierce, slightly rubbery, rather fragrant and floral (geranium and violet), with some vanilla, camphor and rather intense notes of bandages.
Impression: A whisky tasting rather young, with the sherry giving some roundness and some rubbery flavours. Tasted at Limburg during the whisky fair, it left me a rather good impression, but once tasted back home 24h later in my normal setting (and glasss), I found it less impressive.
Rating: 10/20 PA:D7

Kilchoman Machir Bay 2014 Edition, OB, 46%, B:2014. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Very peaty and tarry, ashy, dry, maritime, medicinal, on camphor, bandages and seaweeds. Very good and rather mature.
Taste: The initial attack is rather sweet, before becoming drier, more peaty, ashy, tarry, with some sweetness, sea weeds, iodine, camphor and some bandages. Taste rather young and on fresh vanilla. Diluted, it becomes rather soapy. The finish is medium, peaty, rather clean, light and sweet, tarry, peaty, with some soot, vanilla, bonfire smoke and salt.
Impression: The nose was very pleasant and intensely peated, while it tasted rather young and sweeter than I remembered of the 2013 edition, less balanced as well. A head-to-head comparison with the previous edition would be interesting.
Rating: 10/20 PA:A8

Mosstowie 1975, Duncan Taylor, 48.5%, B: 2008, cask 5811. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Light, fresh, grassy, on hay, with soft malty notes, some fruitiness (melon), and a touch of smoke.
Taste: Smooth, salty, spicy, quite fruity (melon and guava), malty, on banana and with some nice oakiness. The finish is short to medium, oaky, slightly bitter and on walnuts.
Impression: A good Mosstowie, but with a stronger wood presence than some other Mosstowie bottlings from Duncan Taylor. Thank you Serge.
Rating: 13/20

Mosstowie 1970 Connoisseur’s choice, 12 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 40%, B: 1983. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Sweet, smooth, grassy, floral, on rich honey flavours, smoke, light notes of humus and elderberry flowers syrup.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, slightly mineral, with some peat smoke, elderberry flowers syrup, with a hint of eucalyptus and some aromatic flavours. Diluted, it becomes more on humus, damp old leaves and smokier.
Impression: A good, rich, sweet, smooth and old fashioned whisky.
Rating: 14/20 PA:C3

Mosstowie 1979, 34 YO, Signatory, 49.9%, B:2013, cask 1305, Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, very round, soft, slightly oaky and spicy, with some lime tea and vanilla, as well as some floral and fragrant aromas.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, round, mellow, soft, on lime tree, some coriander and light gingery notes. The finish is medium, soft, smooth, round, on vanilla, with some ginger, beeswax and mustard seeds.
Impression: A rounded and mellow version of Mosstowie, with a rather waxy and mustardy character. Good, but I prefer the freshness of the younger versions of Mosstowie.
Rating: 12/20 PA:A1

Mosstowie over 35 YO Artist 1973, La Maison du Whisky, 54.3%, B: 2012, cask 7621, 562 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow to very mellow, slightly mineral, with some quince and elderberry flowers syrup.
Taste: Spicy, oaky, slightly woody, earthy, with some humus, wood chips and peat smoke, vanilla and a touch of toffee. The finish is medium, spicy, slightly bitter, aromatic and fragrant, with some woody and mineral notes.
Impression: A good and rather mineral Mosstowie, pleasant and well done, although the wood speaks louder than the G&M and with a rougher profile.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A2

Cardhu Special Release 2013, 21 YO, OB, 54.2%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very round, floral, sweet, with strong notes of caramel (Malabar candy), on vanilla, round fruity and slightly acidic notes.
Taste: Floral to very floral, round, grassy, on honey, with nice smooth and round fruity notes of apples, some pear, light notes of tangerine and spices. Diluted, it becomes more fruity, mainly pear and apples. The finish is medium, very round, floral and fruity, on honey, apples and pears.
Impression: A very nice and round version of Cardhu, more balanced and complex than the younger version of Cardhu (12, 15 and 18 YO) and enjoyable to drink.
Rating: 15/20 PA:C1

Glen Moray 1986, 27 YO, Adelphi, 56.8%, B: 2013, 243 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Floral, smooth, mellow, soft and with some honey.
Taste: Oaky, slightly bitter, smooth, floral, with some heather and vanilla. The finish is medium, mellow, floral, slightly fragrant, bitter and smoky, with light oaky notes.
Impression: Glen Moray produces some fine whiskies and this version of Glen Moray has rather pronounced floral and fragrant notes. Good, but not too much to my liking.
Rating: 12/20 PA:A1

Glen Garioch 1991 World of Orchids, 22 YO, JWWW, 53.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, smooth, spicy, floral, slightly smoky, on vanilla and some honey. Cleaner and rougher that the Cooper’s choice.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, oaky, slightly bitter, floral, aromatic, on ginger, peat smoke, vanilla, and a touch of honey. Complex. The finish is medium, spicy, slightly aromatic, fragrant and bitter, on tonic water, oak spices and some light peat smoke.
Impression: A good and intense Glen Garioch, with some candied ginger
Rating: 13/20 PA:A3

Glen Garioch 1991, 22 YO, Whisky Doris, 52.9%, B 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Oaky, floral, clean, on vanilla, ginger and some aromatic notes.
Taste: Smooth, rich, complex, intense, floral, aromatic, on ginger, oaky, honey and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, smooth, waxy, slightly bitter, aromatic, slightly floral and fragrant, with a light creamy influence, on ginger, vanilla and honey.
Impression: The nose was rather clean and slightly spirit, with a nice smoothness on taste.
Rating: 14/20 PA:A3

Glen Garioch 1992, 21 YO, Acla da Fans, 52.8%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, waxy, smooth, aromatic, floral, on humus, some peat smoke, vanilla and some pollen.
Taste: Very smooth, round, waxy, aromatic, with a nice peat smoke, some honey, as well as some faint meaty notes. Well balanced and creamy. The finish is medium to long, smooth, oaky, waxy, aromatic, creamy, with some peat smoke and a slight fragrance. Diluted, it becomes slightly mineral.
Impression: A deliciously smooth, balance, creamy and complex Glen Garioch. An excellent treat fairly priced.
Rating: 16/20 PA:B4

Glen Garioch 1993, Cooper’s choice, 46%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Aromatic to very aromatic, waxy, round, rather complex, with some humus, wood smoke, humidor, ginger and a few pear drops.
Taste: Oaky to very oaky, aromatic, floral, on ginger, wood extracts, tobacco pipe, humus and old wood. The finish is medium, oaky, tannic, bitter, aromatic, floral, and slightly smoky, on old wood, ginger and some fragrance
Impression: A very oaky and woody expression of Glen Garioch. The woody load is slightly too heavy to my taste.
Rating: 11/20 PA:A3

Mortlach 1989, 24 YO, The First Editions, 57.9%, B: 2013, 192 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Intense, herbal, aromatic, floral, slightly grassy and with some berries and eucalyptus
Taste: Smooth, intense to very intense, floral, oaky, with some aromatic and grassy notes, as well as some humus and eucalyptus. Complex and well balanced. The finish is rather long, grassy, smooth, and aromatic, with some honey, humus and eucalyptus.
Impression: A rather grassy, smooth and aromatic Mortlach, nicely balanced and very enjoyable
Rating: 16/20 PA:A2

Mortlach 1995 For The Whisky Schiff Luzern 2014, Riegger’s selection, 55.8%, B:2014, cask 3420, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral to very floral, slightly fragrant, rather clean, with green-grassy notes, some slightly sour berries and menthol.
Taste: Fruity, slightly austere, green, herbal, with some menthol, sour berries and some cooked apples, as well as some oaky spices and fresh floral and slightly earthy flavours. Becomes sweeter other time. The finish is medium to long, on a mixture of sweet-mineral and sour berries flavours, well integrated and balanced, with some floral influence as well.
Impression: A very good, fresh and original Mortlach, well-made and enjoyable to drink.
Rating: 15/20 PA:B2

Mortlach 1991, 21YO, Signatory, 53.9%, B: 2013, cask 7708, 591 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Round, mellow, rich, floral, on dried fruits, grapes, figs, leather, some hay and precious wood.
Taste: Rich, mellow, thick, fruity, intense, spicy, on Christmas cake, dried fruits, sultanas, leather, precious wood, tangerine and oranges. Complex and well balanced. The finish is long, spicy, slightly meaty, floral, rich, intense, on cinnamon sticks, cloves, some treacle, leather, some cardamom, Christmas cake, dried fruits and orange.
Impression: A very good intense and rich Mortlach with a nice sweet and fruity sherry influence. A charming dram fairly priced.
Rating: 16/20 PA:F2

Mortlach 1990 Sherry, 23 YO, Hart Brothers, 55.1%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very rubbery, on fresh rubber, tyres, burnt matches and floral notes. The rubber and burnt rubber flavours are very intense, clearly dominating the nose.
Taste: On burnt rubber and matches, thick, floral on burnt sugar, and lots of diverse rubbery flavours. The finish is medium to long, bitter to very bitter, on burnt matches, tyres and rubber.
Impression: A Mortlach with very strong rubbery and sulphury flavors. Not my style at all. Sorry.
Rating: 08/20 PA:J2

Port Ellen 1974, 30 YO, Signatory, 58.5%, B: 2005, cask 6756, 266 bottles. Price:
Colour: Straw-gold.
Nose: Smooth, round, on bold peat smoke, with some sweet fruits and a slight mineral smokiness. Very elegant.
Taste: Smooth, juicy, peaty, complex, fruity (Mirabelle), rather sweet and mineral. The finish is long, fruity, mineral, with a long development, on marmalade and pear.
Impression: A beautiful Port Ellen, not extremely peaty, but harmonious and rather sweet and fruity.
Rating: 18/20 PA:B5

Port Ellen 1982 Old Malt Cask, 26 YO, Douglas Laing, 50%, B: 2009. Ref 5157, 235 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Floral, clean, peaty and maritime.
Taste: Peaty, maritime, round and with some seaweeds. Rather dry and slightly bitter. The finish is medium, dry, bitter, tarry, and slightly maritime.
Impression: A good but rather clean and dry Port Ellen, with quite some tobacco smoke in the finish.
Rating: 14/20 PA:A6

Port Ellen Platinum 1977, 35 YO, Douglas Laing, 50.4%, B: 2012, 199 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, maritime, tarry, on seaweeds, with some sea fish, vanilla and other austere notes. The nose is rather smooth.
Taste: Floral to very floral, on jasmine, seaweeds, some fish, phenols, vanilla and distant notes of tar. Very smooth and mellow. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, slightly maritime, moderately peaty and slightly phenolic. Diluted, it becomes slightly citric
Impression: The oldest Port Ellen I have tried so far. It is very smooth and mellow, with the peaty notes rather restrained. I found that the flavour profile of Port Ellen changes when they turned around 30 years old and this one seems to undergo a second turn. Good, but soft. I prefer the younger versions.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A5

Port Ellen 34 YO Special Release 2013, OB, 55.0%, B: 2013. Prix:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, very maritime, complex, on seaweeds, diesel smoke, slightly phenolic and sweet fruit from the orchards. Rather intense for its age.
Taste: Maritime, phenolic, on menthol, some eucalyptus, seaweeds, a fair dose of citrus, some tar, diesel smoke, bandages and a slight saltiness. Moderately peaty. The finish is medium to long, complex, citric, juicy, slightly fruity, peaty and smoky, with some tar, ashes, old seaweeds, with light mineral notes and apple drops.
Impression: An excellent and complex Port Ellen, more intense than most recently bottled Port Ellen by independent bottlers, with some pleasant juicy and fruity notes on a backbone of maritime flavours. Very enjoyable.
Rating: 17/20 PA:A5

Convalmore 1975, Scott’s selection, 46.1%, B: 2006. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Rather clean and close, on humus, wet leaves, some tobacco, honey and a slight fruity influence.
Taste: Very smooth, round, mellow, sweet, slightly sugary, with a hint of menthol, peat smoke and light medicinal notes. The finish is medium, slightly bitter, floral, fragrant, with some hops, wood smoke, vanilla and geranium.
Impression: Convalmore is not always a very easy whisky due to its strong personality. I found this bottling good to very good, but slightly too floral and fragrant to my taste.
Rating: 14/20 PA:A3

Convalmore 1977, 30 YO, Martin’s, 43%, B:2007. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, on pollen, honey, light aromatic herbs, slightly floral, woody and fruity (yellow fruits).
Taste: Smooth, mellow, fruity to very fruity, smoky, on orange, guava, peat smoke, peach, and other tropical fruits. Surprisingly sweet, with a certain spiciness well integrated with the peat smoke. The finish is medium, spicy, oaky, fruity, with some peat smoke, slightly woody and on humus.
Impression: A very good and complex Convalmore, with a very nice interplay between the fruit and peat smoke, and a slight astringency in the finish.
Rating: 16/20 PA:C3

Convalmore 1981 Scottish Castles, 22 YO, Jack Wieber’s, 58.6%, B: 2004. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Flora, with some honey, lots of toffee, some vanilla and germanium. Slightly fragrant. Given time, it becomes smoother and rounder.
Taste: Very smooth, floral to very floral, fragrant, rather light and oaky, with some vanilla and smoke and a touch of humus. Diluted, it becomes more floral and fragrant. The finish is medium, woody, oaky, very floral and fragrant, slightly smoky, on humus, old wood and some wood spices, as well as some tobacco leaves.
Impression: A contrasted Convalmore, with a very smooth and floral nose and rather fragrant and woody on the palate. A rather difficult whisky with a strong personality, and with the flavours not as well integrated as the 1977 Cadenheads.
Rating: 14/20 PA:B3

Convalmore 1977 Special Release 2013, 36 YO, OB, 58.0%, B: 2013, 2980 bouteilles. Prix:
Couleur : Vieil or
Nez : Très doux et moelleux, rond, fruité, sur les fruits jaunes et de légères notes tropicales. Bien équilibré.
Bouche : Doux, riche, intense, fruité, sur une abondance d’ananas, quelques fruits tropicaux, de la pêche, du menthol et une pointe de sel. Très bon ! La finale est longue, riche, très fruitée, légèrement aromatique, sirupeuse, fumée, sur les agrûmes, les épices, un peu de fumée tourbée, des abricots, de la pêche, du miel et des fruits tropicaux.
Impression générale : Un excellent Convalmore, avec un bel équilibre entre le « old fashion » style de whisky complémenté par de riches et intenses notes fruitées, ainsi que des notes austères de fumée tourbée. Impressionnant de complexité. Malheureusement, le prix est bien plus élevé que la précédente version de Convalmore.
Score : 18/20 PA:B3

Convalmore 1977, 21 YO, Cadenhead’s. 64.4%, B: 1998, butt 594. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, fruity, smoky, aromatic, complex, on fruits from the orchards, some apricots, peach, humus and a touch of honey.
Taste: Floral to very floral, waxy, intense, spicy, smoky, on humus, quince, date, treacle, some leather and other fruity notes. Diluted, it becomes smoother, remains slightly austere and smoky, but it becomes also fruitier. The finish is medium to long, complex, slightly waxy, intense, on humus, some old wood, old bonfire smoke, with a slight fruity and floral influence.
Impression: An old style-whisky, rather austere, aromatic and smoky, with a slight mineral influence and underlying fruits flavours. I enjoy this style very much.
Rating: 16/20 PA:F3

St-Beccan’s Dram 1991, 22 YO, Stillman’s Dram, 55.3%, B: 2013, 210 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round to very round, smooth, on hops, vanilla, pastries, Turkish delights and some pear.
Taste: Very smooth, round, slightly spicy and oaky, slightly grassy, on freshly baked pastries, some pear and hops. The finish is medium, smooth to very smooth, round, on pastries, some pear, almonds, hops and some vanilla.
Impression: A very smooth and rather fresh single pot still Irish whiskey distilled at the distillery of Cooley fairy priced. A nice and rather complex Irish whiskey that deserves some attention. Some might not like it, but some will love it.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A1

Bablair 1990 Small Batch, 23 YO, Cadenhead’s, 51.7%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Smooth, round, slightly mellow, on honey, a whiff of tobacco leaves, some vanilla and a few drops of apricots and peach.
Taste: Smooth, intense, rich, slightly floral, rather fruity, with some banana, vanilla, honey, a hint of smoke and a touch of exotic fruits. The finish is medium, rather smooth and oaky, floral and bitter, on honey, a touch of tobacco, vanilla and a touch of peach.
Impression: The nose is much pleasant and smooth, on honey and some fruity notes, gaining in intensity in the mouth, with a slight oaky bite. I haven’t seen much Bablair being bottled by independent bottlers. A rare treat?
Rating: 14/20 PA:A1

Yoichi 1983 116.15 Not peat for peat sake, 25 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), 58.9%, B: 2009, 169 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Round, smooth, moderately peaty, aromatic, with a touch of seaweeds, some tarry and ashy notes, as well as some anise. Given time, it becomes more peaty and tarry.
Taste: Dry, ashy, austere, slightly farmy, with a certain sweetness and roundness, some precious and humid wood as well as some incense. The finish is long to very long, rather dry, peaty, smoky, tarry and ashy, with some floral and exotic wood influence, as well as some Turkish delights and rose water candies. Diluted, it becomes smoother, more aromatic and with a light bitterness.
Impression: A well aged Yoichi, with nice and complex peaty flavours and the age giving some mellowness. I am more used to younger and more intense Yoichi, but I enjoyed this one very well as well. Yoichi aged over 20 years are rather uncommon. Thank you Philip.
Rating: 16/20 PA:C5

Karuizawa 1970, 42 YO, OB, 64.3%, B: 2012, Cask 6177. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, sweet, juicy, intense, rich, on precious wood, beeswax, slightly smoky, with some tangerine and other fruity notes. Complex and well balanced. Diluted, it becomes smoother.
Taste: Intense, oaky, rather spirity. At full strength, it really burns my taste buds. Diluted, it is much smoother, fragrant, on exotic wood and fragrance, silky, slightly smoky, on noble wood, lacquer, orange and tangerine. The light fruity flavours smell luxury leather as well. The finish is medium to long, rich, intense, subtle, slightly oaky, with a touch of humus, some peat smoke, tangerine, blood oranges, exotic fragrance and wood.
Impression: A complex whisky that requires some water to tame its strength. The flavours are progressively released on a smooth, subtle and silky “cushion”. A most pleasant old Karuizawa.
Rating: 18/20 PA:G2

Hakushu 2000, OB, 61%, B: 2012, cask EL41357. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, dry, tarry, ashy, very farmy, slightly aromatic and intense. A very nice peaty nose.
Taste: Rather clean, intense, on coconut liquor, dry peat smoke, some tar and light farmy flavours, as well as vanilla and some fruits from the orchards. The finish is medium to long, rather clean, dry, farmy to very farmy, peaty and slightly floral, with some vanilla.
Impression: The nose was surprisingly peaty, dry and intense, becoming slightly milder on the palate. A good and rather clean whisky.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A6

Mars 1984 Memories of Kagoshima 24 YO, OB, 46%, B:2009, 3018 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very round, mellow and smooth, yeasty, on bread, a touch of rubber and light grassy and honey notes.
Taste: Very mellow and smooth, on starch, some very mild spices (paprika?), some dust and oaky spices, as well as faint rubbery notes and distant notes of tangerine. Rather bland. The finish is rather short and smooth, with some hops and surprisingly intense hot, on black pepper and chilli. Diluted, the flash of pepper and chilli is more intense,
Impression: A rather smooth and bland whisky, maybe due to over-aging and with a surprising hot finish. Not very balanced either. A rather curious and difficult malt.
Rating: 10/20 Price: E1

Kirin 18 YO Single Malt, OB, 43%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth and sweet, juicy, fruity, floral, on cooked cereals, some apricots and a touch of hops.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet and juicy, on mango, papaya and other exotic fruit juices, some spices (rye-like), apricots and peaches. The finish is rather short, very smooth, sweet and juicy, on tropical fruit juice with peach and apricots. Diluted, the finish becomes longer, slightly spicy (ginger and white pepper) but remains very sweet.
Impression: A rather special whisky, mono-layered, tasting pretty much like a multi-fruits juice, very sweet and very easy drinking. Well balanced and worth a try. A whisky difficult to classify.
Rating: 13/20 PA:D1

Brora 1977 Special Release 2013, 35 YO OB, 49.9%, B: 2013. 2944 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very round and waxy, smooth, slightly farmy, with some mineral peat smoke, on quince, Mirabelle and other sweet and round fruity notes. The peat smoke influence is stronger than the previous release, but the nose appears also more waxy, rounder and fruitier as well.
Taste: Waxy, very smooth, with some peat smoke, slightly aromatic and farmy (just slightly) with a touch of citrus, nice sweet fruity notes (mango, melon and passion fruits), on sea brine and some ashes. The finish is long, smooth, very mellow, slightly citric, on peat smoke, sea brines, some ashes, and tropical fruits, slightly salty and farmy.
Impression: This Brora is very mellow and fruity, with slightly less peaty flavours than the previous edition. The tropical fruity notes are just delicious, with the waxiness giving a most pleasant body. Although it was bottled at 49.9%, it seemed less intense than the previous versions. Since the last 30 YO Annual/special release, the profile of the Brora has changed (less peat and sherry influence), but the quality remains very high.
Rating: 18/20 PA:A5

William Larue Weller 12 YO, OB, 45%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth, intense, grainy, on cooked maize, with a nice spiciness (rye?), slightly peppery and with some oranges and vanilla. Although the rye was substituted by wheat, the spicy notes are suggesting of rye.
Taste: Creamy, spicy, oaky, intense, on cooked cereals, apricots, on vanilla, cinnamon, some fragrance and slight peppery notes. Very nice. The finish is long, round, spicy, on cooked cereals, corn syrup, apricots, cinnamon buns, some pepper and banane flambée.
Impression: A very good, intense, smooth and spicy Whiskey. Very enjoyable and complex.
Rating: 16/20 PA:A1

William Heavenshill Small Batch Bottled-in-bond, OB, 50%, B: 2014. Price:
Color: Gold
Nose: Smooth, slightly dry and spicy, with some light notes of apricots, vanilla and treacle. A drier and spicier whiskey than the Evan Willams12 Y, with some additional complexity.
Taste: Rather spicy, slightly peppery, on apricots, peach, slightly oaky and nutty, on vanilla and some rye bread. The finish is medium, rich, spicy, peppery, complex, slightly dry and nutty, some canned fruits
Impression: Very different from the Evan Williams, drier, more complex and spicier. More to my liking
Rating: 14/20 PA:A1

Ardmore 1997 Small Batch, 16 YO, Cadenhead’s,  55.2%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, slightly aromatic and peppery, with some peat smoke and light farmy notes.
Taste: Dry, smoky, ashy, slightly tarry and citric, rather farmy, with some floral flavours, a touch of cardboard, with austere, aromatic and peat flavours becoming stronger over time. The finish is medium, rather farmy, on stables, liquorices roots, some peat smoke, aromatic and floral flavours. Diluted, the finish becomes more aromatic and floral
Impression: A pleasant farmy and aromatic Ardmore with a nice roundness. A well made whisky. I really enjoy the products from this distillery.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A4

Oban 21 YO Special Release 2013, OB, 58.5%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Salty, juicy, smooth, oaky, rather mineral, slightly fruity, with some honey, sea brine and grassy notes. Very pleasant.
Taste: Salty, oaky to very oaky, on vanilla, sea brine, some harbour flavours, nice honey and sweet fruity notes, some diesel and mineral smoke, with a slight spiciness and tonic water. The finish is long, slightly salty, on harbour flavours, some ginger, tonic water, vanilla, mineral smoke, a slight bitterness and slight sweet notes of apples and well as some oaky flavours.
Impression: The nose will tell you quickly that this is an Oban whisky, rounder and with a sweeter and fruitier mineral nose than the standard 14 YO, and with more complexity on the palate. I like the Oban style very much and I enjoyed very much its complexity and subtlety. In Europe, it was very difficult to obtain 1 bottle of this fine whisky.
Rating: 16/20 PA:A3

Oban 1963, 30 YO, Cadenhead’s, 52%, B: 1993. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy, with a light oakiness, slightly peaty and smoky, dry, oaky and “harbour-like” flavours, some sea breeze and a nice complexity.
Taste: Rather fresh, salty, slightly peaty, smoky and austere, complex, with some sea breeze, some green tea, eucalyptus and rather complex aromatic flavours. Extremely well balanced. Diluted, it becomes more intense, with rather intense notes of dry tobacco leaves as well as some toffee. The finish is medium to long, aromatic, herbal, on pine wax, peat smoke, salt, keepers, light and thin woody notes, as well as some eucalyptus and old seaweeds.
Impression: An Oban impressive of balance and complexity, with an enjoyable interplay between austere, aromatic and maritime flavours as well as a most discreet influence from the wood. I enjoy the products from this distillery very much and this one is simply delicious. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find and extremely expensive if you find one (even by the dram..).
Rating: 19/20 PA:B3

Laphroaig 1990, 21 YO, The Whisky Cask, 52.5%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, peaty, phenolic, round and with some vanilla and old dried seaweeds.
Taste: Oaky, smooth, slightly soft, on sea spray, some peanuts, tar, ashes, peat smoke and some light vanilla and cardboard notes. Becomes more on disinfectant over time. The finish is medium, soft, peaty, oaky and rather thin, on disinfectants and some seaweeds.
Impression: A rather soft and slightly thin Laphroaig, with the oaky starting to speak loud while pleasant notes of disinfectant are released.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A4

Laphroaig 1991 29.122 Cool as a mountain stream, 20 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), 54.4%, B: 2012, 568 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Peaty, smoky, ashy to very ashy, on charcoal, dried fruits, tangerine, orange, tar and seaweeds. The sherry influence provides a nice roundness and some sweetness.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, peaty, tarry, maritime, with some tangerine, peat smoke, slight meaty and leathery notes, salt, some treacle and iodine. The finish is medium to long, smoky, tarry, slightly farmy, on dried meat, liquorice roots, some aniseeds, treacle, candied oranges and seaweeds. A very nice and pleasant Laphroaig.
Impression: A very smoky and meaty Laphroaig with a pleasant sweet sherry influence.
Rating: 16/20 PA:F6

Laphroaig 1995 29.125 Smoke of sweet chili sausages in your face, 17 YO, Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), 60.6%, B: 2012, 205 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very peaty, dry, smoky and tarry, with lots of ashes, seaweeds and camphor. Very intense.
Taste: Very maritime, intense, oaky, peaty, smoky, on seaweeds, some fish, tar and charcoal. The finish is long, very peaty, smoky and maritime, oaky, tarry, on seaweeds and vanilla, some fish, a touch of gentian and a slight bitterness.
Impression: The nose is a real peat smoke blast, followed by intense dry and maritime flavours. A well-made and complex whisky.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A7

Laphroaig 1999, 14 YO, The First Editions, 56.8%, B:2014, 309 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, smoky, rather smooth and round, on tar, seaweeds, toffee and medicinal flavours.
Taste: Slightly spicy, salty, maritime, on liquorice, rather smooth (for a Laphroaig), with a slight sweetness, some sea brine, sea shells and a touch of iodine. The finish is medium to long, smoky, slightly salty, maritime, floral and fragrant, rather dry, with some toffee, treacle, seaweeds, iodine and a touch of camphor.
Impression: A rather round and maritime Laphroaig, with a profile between the First Edition 1998 and the SMWS 29.122. Unusually for a First Edition, this is from a refill butt.
Rating: 15/20 PA:F6

Laphroaig 1998, 15 YO, The First Editions, 59.1%, B: 2013, 292 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Very smoky, peaty, dry, medicinal, very maritime, on liquorice roots, dried kelp, tar and dried ashes. Smoother than the SMWS 29.125.
Taste: Salty, dry, on liquorice roots, slightly winey, oaky, with some wet wood, leather, slight farmy notes (stables) and disinfectant. The finish is medium to long, dry, oaky, bitter, maritime, smoky, peaty, on wet wood, wet seaweeds, iodine and a fair dose of old liquorice roots.
Impression: A rather bitter Laphroaig, with a mixture of disinfectant and liquorice roots. A Laphoraig with a strong personality. Some might like it, some less.
Rating: 14/20 PA:C6

Laphroaig An Cuan Mor Travel Retail, OB, 48%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Speaks loud the oak, modern, farmy to very farmy, on vanilla, peat smoke, sea weeds and some light maritime influence. The influence of the first fill bourbon cask is clearly noticeable. With time, the maritime influence becomes stronger.
Taste: Salty to very salty, maritime, slightly creamy, oaky to very oaky, on oak chips, strong notes of vanilla, some charcoal, tar and peat smoke, as well as some apricots. A slight bourbon influence? The finish is medium to long, slightly mineral, maritime, with light medicinal notes, some camphor, spearmint, vanilla, some cereals and a touch of apricots.
Impression: A surprising Laphroaig, with a milder peaty influence than most Laphroaig, very oaky (modern) and flavours of apricots that reminds me rather strongly of bourbon whiskey. Made only with first-fill bourbon cask, one might wonder is there was no Bourbon left in the cask. In conclusion, a rather mildly peated Laphroaig, rather different from the previous official bottlings.
Rating: 13/20 PA: A5

Lagavulin 1976 Special Release 2013, 37 YO, OB, 51.0%, B: 2013, 1868 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smoky, meaty, slightly mineral, on kelp, old peat smoke, wood varnish and a touch of menthol or eucalyptus. The smoky aromas are rather similar to the old 75 Proof.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, with rich fruity and juicy notes, peat smoke, orange, tangerine, some meaty notes, leather, tobacco leaves, some salt and Pu-erhr tea. The finish is long, smoky, slightly peaty, on Pu-erh, over infused tea, some wood, tangerine, cumin, orange and old seaweeds. There is a nice and very long smoky retro-olfaction.
Impression: The nose is very good with a strong smoky flavour and a deliciously sweet and slightly meaty-leathery impression on the palate, while the finish is more on notes of old and over-infused tea. The whisky is very good, but slightly tired to my taste. Not as intense as the Lagavulin 30 YO.
Rating: 17/20 PA: I5

Lagavulin 1995 Jazz Festival 2013, OB, 51.9%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smoky, peaty, oaky, on dried and dark fruits, some chocolate, candied oranges and some vanilla. Very smoky.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, juicy, slightly oaky, on peat smoke, bonfire smoke, with some liquorice roots, orange, tangerine, “clous de girofle”, old peat smoke, some tar and barbecue sauce. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, slightly meaty and maritime, on peat smoke, some spices, orange, tar, charcoal and iodine.
Impression: A very intense, modern smoky Lagavulin, with a moderate sherry influence and a pleasant smoothness.
Rating: 17/20 PA: G7

Lagavulin 1991 Distiller’s Edition, OB, 43%, B: 2008, edition 4/496. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Meaty, oaky, intense, on peat smoke, vanilla, iodine, with some dried fruits. The wood influence is well present.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, sweet, juicy, fruity, on peat smoke, some maritime notes, orange and tangerine, with a hint of salt and some bonfire smoke. The finish is medium to long, rather smooth at the start, becoming more oaky and woody afterwards, some cumin, caramel and juniper.
Impression: A sweet Lagavulin, juicy and with some woody notes, as well as some aromatic berries in the finish.
Rating: 16/20 PA: G6

Lagavulin Special Release 2013, 12 YO, OB, 55.1%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very oaky, very smoky and peaty, meaty, maritime, iodine and phenols.
Taste: Light, clean, salty, peaty, smoky, maritime, with some vanilla and liquorice roots. The finish is medium, farmy, dry, oaky, clean and slightly bitter, on peat smoke and liquorice roots.
Impression: A rather light, intense and peaty Lagavulin, with a modern oaky influence. I find it more bitter and austere than the previous versions of the Special Releases.
Rating: 15/20 PA: A6

Lagavulin 12 YO Guaranteed Pure Pot Still, OB, 75 proof, B: 1960s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smoky, peaty, meaty, mineral to very mineral, on humus, charcoal, some maritime flavours and tropical fruits (mango and guava)
Taste: Salty, smoky to very smoky, maritime, slightly meaty, on tropical fruits, citrus (pink grapefruit), dried meat and leather. The finish is medium to long, smoky, peaty, slightly citric, with some tropical fruits, dried meat and some leather. Diluted, it becomes saltier, with some old wood.
Impression: A very good Lagavulin, very smoky and salty with a surprising fruitiness. The finish is slightly woody, suggesting that some old or very old casks might have been added to the vat.
Rating: 17/20 PA: F5

Talisker 1985 Special Release 2013, 27 YO, OB, 56.1%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, rather intense, slightly oaky and peaty, with some maritime flavours and a hint of iodine and seaweeds.
Taste: Intense, oaky, rich, maritime, peppery, some gentian, iodine and ginger and a citric-fruity influence.  The finish is medium to long, oaky, rather waxy-oily, on gentian, some oysters and peat smoke, seaweeds, iodine and bandages.
Impression: A rather oaky expression of Talisker, intense, maritime, phenolic, rather balanced and complex, more lively than last year 25 or 30 years old expression. A very enjoyable Talisker with a medicinal twist that I enjoyed very much.
Rating: 16/20 PA: A5

Talisker 12 YO (Talisker Dailuaine Distilleries) Swiss Import (Bloch), OB, 43%, B: 1970s. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, slightly peaty and smoky, light, subtle, maritime, with some iodine.
Taste: Very smooth, round, slightly peaty, salty and maritime, with some diesel smoke and seaweeds, a touch of pepper and some caramel. Subtle. The finish is medium, smooth, rather thin and maritime, on iodine, some seaweeds and caramel, a touch of liquorice roots and some salted liquorice sweets.
Impression: A smooth, mellow and rather thin Talisker, with some bitter liquorice flavours as well as some slightly ashy old fashioned smoke. Was the bottled opened for too long or is it due to the long stay in the bottle? It seemed rather tired.
Rating: 14/20 PA:A3

Balvenie 25 YO Triple Cask, OB, 40%, B: 2014. Price:
Colour: Old gold -amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, mellow, on almond pastries, honey, orange, tangerine and some toffee.
Taste: Very smooth and mellow, sweet, juicy, subtle, with some rose water, tangerine, honey and some light grassy notes. The finish is rather short, smooth, very mellow, subtle, sweet and fruity, on tangerine, honey, some orange, hops and vanilla, as well as some apricots. Diluted, it becomes rather thin.
Impression: The Balvenie 25 YO Triple Cask is a new expression for the travel retail. The whisky is very smooth, sweet and fruity, with nice honey notes. An easy drinking whisky, nice and subtle, getting rather thin when water is added.
Rating: 15/20 PA: F1

Littlemill 1992 First Fill Sherry, 21 YO, Hart Brothers, 46%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very fruit, rich, sweet, grassy to very grassy, on freshly cut grass as well as some almonds. Delicious.
Taste: Grassy to very grassy, smooth, round, smooth to very smooth, rather sweet, on freshly cut grass, a slight spiciness, on honey, some almonds and a hint of menthol. The finish is medium to long, waxy, smooth, grassy to very grassy, slightly bitter (wet tobacco leaves) and smoky, rather sweet and slightly fruity (tangerine).
Impression: A delicious sweet and juicy Littlemill, with a light sherry influence and nice smooth and rather intense grassy notes. One of the best Littlemill I have tasted.
Rating: 17/20 PA: G1

Dalmore 1967, 44 YO, Sirius, 64.3%. Price:
Color: Amber
Nose: Mellow, smooth to very smooth, on previous woods, tobacco leaves, humus and dried fruits. Rich and complex.
Taste: Mellow, tannic, slightly astringent, on orange skin, humus, dried leaves, some mango, tangerine, a hint of smoke, dark chocolate, some varnish and precious wood. The finish is medium to long, dry, astringent, woody, on old furniture, beeswax, orange, coffee and bitter chocolate.
Impression: The nose was most pleasant, rich, complex, on tobacco and humus, with some woody notes becoming more pronounced on the palate and even drier and very astringent on the finish. The whisky is good, in particular the nose, but the age shows off clearly on the palate. A whisky past its peak.
Rating: 14/20 PA: J2

Secret Stills 06.2 (Glen Garioch) 1993, 14 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 45%, butt 779. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: On toffee, fudge, heather, some smoke, tangerine, orange, and cinnamon.
Taste: Sweet to very sweet, fruity, smooth, on fudge, tangerine, some cinnamon, ginger and orange, with some peat smoke. Well balanced. The finish is medium to long, smooth, sweet, fragrant, slightly bitter and floral, on honey and hand made fudge, as well as some peat and tobacco smoke. It becomes smoother with some water.
Impression: A very nice sweet and fruity expression of Glen Garioch, very enjoyable to drink, with some aromatic peat smoke.
Rating: 16/20 PA: F3

Glen Garioch 1988, 18 YO, Duncan Taylor, 52.8%, B:2007, cask 1557, 272 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Rich, intense, aromatic, on peat smoke, tree wax and some other diverse flavours. Very nice.
Taste: Rich, intense, waxy, slightly juicy, with some vanilla, butterscotch and some fruity (tangerine and melon) notes. Complex and with some pleasant smoky notes.  The finish is medium, waxy, smoky, oaky with sweet fruity notes.
Impression: A most pleasant waxy, intense and rich Glen Garioch.
Rating: 16/20 PA: C3

Glen Garioch over 8 years old Lemar import (dumpy bottle), OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Aromatic, austere, peaty, mineral, with some eucalyptus and heather.
Taste:  Floral, slightly peaty and aromatic, smooth, mineral, resinous, waxy, on juicy oak, heather, a hint of eucalyptus and marshmallows. The finish is medium to long, on old peat smoke, some cold ashes, wax and marshmallows (flowers). Subtle.
Impression: A very nice waxy, mineral and slightly peaty Glen Garioch, with most pleasant and subtle aromatic flavours. I wish some was bottled at a higher strength.
Rating: 16/20 PA:C4

Glen Garioch 1991 For the Whiskyman, 20 YO, Liquid Sun, 52.6%, B:2012, 177 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Clean, sharp, mineral, with some peat smoke, lavender and light aromatic notes. Rather austere. Given time, it becomes slightly floral.
Taste:  Rather light, slightly waxy, oaky, mineral and peaty, with some vanilla and light aromatic notes. Subtle. The finish is medium, waxy, slightly floral, aromatic and smoky.
Impression: A rather austere and mineral version of Glen Garioch that I enjoyed very much, thus giving a different view on the whiskies produced at the Glengarioch distillery.
Rating: 16/20 PA:A3

Glen Garioch 1968, 29 YO, OB, 56.8%, B:2013, cask 9. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, thick, sweet, slightly humic, aromatic, on old bold peat smoke, plums and nice fragrant flavours. Well balanced. Diluted, it becomes peatier, slightly mineral and farmy.
Taste: Rich, aromatic, fragrant, slightly floral, on orange, peat smoke, some tar, some ashes. Very complex. The finish is long, rather chewy, complex, on aromatic peat smoke, tar, heather, honey, orange, tangerine, cappuccino and dark chocolate.
Impression: An excellent complex Glen Garioch with a delicious combination of intense notes of aromatic peat and first class sherry casks.
Rating: 19/20 PA: G7

Glen Garioch 10 YO, OB, 43%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Slightly farmy, waxy, aromatic, mildly peaty and on spice bread.
Taste: Waxy, aromatic, slightly meaty and farmy, grassy, peaty, on old bold peat smoke, some mushrooms and toffee. The finish is medium to long, floral, slightly fragrant, slightly aromatic and waxy, farmy, on peat smoke and toffee.
Impression: A good Glen Garioch rather meaty and peaty, with toffee and some honey notes.
Rating: 13/20 PA: B4

Glen Garioch 1989 A brandy Casket, 23 YO, Wemyss, 46%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Richly floral, smooth, oaky, spicy, slightly smoky and on redcurrant. With time, it becomes more aromatic, slightly waxy and smokier.
Taste: Intense, oaky, juicy, slightly spicy and peaty, aromatic, waxy and with a nice complexity and balance. The finish is medium to long, waxy, spicy, slightly smoky and mineral, with a nice light and sweet fruity notes, a touch of fudge, some melon, honey and aromatic flavours.
Impression: A rather waxy, rich, complex and satisfying Glen Garioch. Very pleasant.
Rating: 15/20 PA: C3

Glen Garioch 1991 Old Malt Cask, 21 YO, Hunter Laing, 50%, B: 2013,  Ref 9809, 251 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Fresh to very fresh, light, subtle, on freshly pressed pears, chamomile, blossom tea and a faint smokiness.
Taste: Light, fresh, on pear drops, slightly peaty, smoky, aromatic, subtle, elegant, on blossom, chamomile and a touch of hay. The finish is medium, slightly bitter and floral, aromatic, with a light peaty and mineral smoke
Impression: An interesting variation of Glen Garioch, not extremely intense, but subtle and rather fresh. Lighter than most Glen Garioch.
Rating: 13/20 PA: A2

Glen Garioch Virgin Oak, OB, 48%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Very creamy, smooth, on crystallised ginger, vanilla, tree wax, anise seeds and oak extracts. With time, some floral and aromatic notes progressively develop.
Taste: Creamy to very creamy, waxy, on freshly sawn wood, ginger, vanilla, with some cinnamon and nice floral and aromatic flavours. The finish is medium, oaky, creamy, slightly floral, on crystallised ginger, cinnamon, some cloves and menthol. Diluted, it becomes slightly more oaky.
Impression: A very creamy Glen Garioch with nice oaky notes, without any excessive oakiness showing a different profile of the unpeated Glen Garioch style.
Rating: 14/20 PA: A1

Glen Garioch 1984, OB, 40%. B: crica 1993. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, fragrant, on lavender, violet with strong meaty notes.
Taste: Floral, fragrant, on candyfloss, lavender, violet candies and some peaty-meaty notes.  The finish is medium, floral, fragrant, on cheap candies and violet.
Impression: A very atypical whisky tasting like a fragrant and floral candy with violet. A style this is not to my taste. I prefer the older or more recent style of Glen Garioch.
Rating: 07/20 PA: A1

Balvenie 40 YO, OB, 48.5%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, slightly floral, very sweet, sugary, with loads of honey, heather, tangerine, some wood, tangerine, treacle and sultanas.
Taste: Spicy, slightly tannic, on tangerine, wood spices, loads of honey and heather, with some melon and papaya. The finish is medium to long, oaky, slightly tannic, on heather, honey and some nuts.
Impression: A very smooth and sweet Balvenie with intense honey notes. Very good but also very pricey (£2950).
Rating: 17/20PA: F1

Littlemill 1989, 24 YO, Acla Selection / The Whisky Agency, 52.9%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, sweet, grassy to very grassy, with a light smokiness and some tangerine. Rather bold and waxy.
Taste: Very smooth, light, grassy and plenty of elderflowers syrup, as well as some honey. The finish is medium to long, very smooth and sweet, grassy and elderflowers syrup.
Impression: A very smooth and grassy Littlemill tasting like elderflowers syrup. Dangerously drinkably and fairly price (139 CHF)
Rating: 16/20 PA: D1

Glenfiddich 1959, 50 YO, 42.5%, B: 2010, cask 3935. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Floral, intense, smooth to very smooth, complex, on dried fruits, cinnamon, Christmas cake, some old furniture, beeswax, tangerine, orange and hand made cream fudges. Excellent and very well balanced.
Taste: Surprisingly fruity, on a mixture of papaya, mango, pineapples, peat smoke, some chocolate, cinnamon as well as some dry and astringent woody notes. The finish is long, rather dry and astringent, with some walnuts, mango, papaya, some peat smoke, humus and floral notes. Diluted, it becomes very fruity, on tropical notes and more astringent, as well as some balsamic vinegar.
Impression: A surprisingly fruity Glenfiddich, with strong tropical notes, associated with some rancio, as well as a woody astringency coming probably from a very long stay in the cask. Much more to my liking than the 1973.
Rating: 17/20 PA: I3

Glenfiddich 18 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2013, batch 3295. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Floral, fresh, juicy, on pear drops, freshly crushed barley and a touch of honey.
Taste: Fresh to very fresh, malty, slightly nutty, with some pear drops, light oaky and vanilla notes, as well as a touch of toffee. The finish is medium, fresh to very fresh, juicy, slightly oaky, on pear drops, a touch of smoke and thin nutty notes.
Impression: A fresh, juicy and slightly floral single malt with pleasant notes of pear. Compared to older versions of the 18 YO, the sherry influence seems substantially lower. I found it markedly better than the 18 YO bottled 6-7 years ago.
Rating: 14/20 PA:C2

Glenfiddich 1973, 40 YO, OB, 49.1%, B:2013, cask 9907. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, oaky, slightly smoky, with some wet wood, humus and pears, as well as some light nutty flavours.
Taste: Nutty to very nutty, floral, on pear juice, with some hay and wood extract. The finish is medium, woody, and slightly dry, on humus, wet wood and some pear drops.
Impression: A rather difficult Glenfiddich, mellow, smooth, rather heavy and slightly rough. I find the wood influence to dominate too much the spirit. Not really a value whisky.
Rating: 13/20 PA:D2

Karuizawa 1999 Memories of Karuizawa, 13 YO, OB, 62.9%, B; 2012, cask 879. Price:
Colour: Amber-black
Nose: Round, meaty, vegetal, slightly floral and fragrant, with some yeast and a lot of rubber.
Taste: Rubbery, fragrant, floral, with some strawberries, spices, exotic wood and some varnish. The finish is medium, bitter to very bitter, fragrant to very fragrant, astringent, rubbery, floral to very floral, with some spices, oranges and dark chocolate.
Impression: A vegetal, rubbery and fragrant Karuizawa, becoming particular bitter in the finish. Not my cup of Karuizawa, for sherry freaks.
Rating: 12/20 PA:J1

Karuizawa 1999 The last bottling, 14 YO, OB, 60.5%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Meaty, fragrant, on yeast, toffee, treacle, ground coffee, some dried fruits and rubber.
Taste: Intense, slightly spirity, fragrant, floral, on yeast extracts, orange and lots of varnish. The finish is medium, fragrant, floral, vegetal and rubbery. Diluted, it becomes more rubbery, spicy, vegetal and on varnish.
Impression: A rather fragrant Karuizawa, with a fair dose of varnish and too much rubber for me. It was sold initially for about 90 euros (exclusively for Isetan of Shinjuku in Tokyo), but the price has significantly increased since then.
Rating: 13/20 PA: I1

Karuizawa 1981 Noh, OB, 56.0%, B: 2013, cask 155. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very intense, meaty, smoky, rather peaty, mineral to very mineral, on figs, dry fruits and on tobacco pipes. Smells like a humidor.
Taste: Floral, slightly mineral and meaty, with strong notes of tobacco pipe, fragrant, on incense, dates and some spices (Maggi powder). Smells good the tobacco (pipe) shop. The finish is medium to long, fragrant, floral, slightly mineral and meaty, with lots of tobacco pipe, on spices (Maggi powder), incense, dates, chocolate and tobacco pipe.
Impression: An impressive Karuizawa with strong notes of tobacco pipes. The aromatic profile is unique and making the rating of this whisky difficult. I have enjoyed this difference!
Rating: 17/20 PA: G1

Caol Ila 1969 Private Collection, 35 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 45%, B:2004, casks 1755 and 1760, 374 bottles. Price:
Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Delicious! Beautiful an old fashioned big and bold peat smoke, dry kelps, on camphor, lots of iodine, harbour flavours, diesel smoke, rather mineral, slightly meaty, on dry fruits and orange. I love this type of peaty flavours.
Taste: Intense, salty, peaty, tarry, on old fashioned mineral peat smoke, stencils shaving, soot, orange, dried fruit, sea weeds, iodine and a touch of chocolate. Very complex. The finish is very long, on old fashioned mineral and dried peat smoke, tar, soot, iodine, seaweeds, some oysters, tangerine, orange and other fruity notes. Diluted, notes of coffee are released.
Impression: Woaww, I just love this whisky. The complexity of this whisky is amazing and the old-fashioned mineral peat smoke is captivating, with an excellent integration of old fashioned sherry casks. Difficult to ask more, if for an extra more intensity. More complex than the 1965 Private Collection. If you can taste this one, do not hesitate to taste it. One of the very best Caol Ila I have tasted. Thank you very much Lukas and Philip.
Rating: 19/20 PA: E6

Caol Ila for Sestante, 20 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 53.6%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Meaty, slightly maritime, smooth, round, on toffee, fudge, some bold old fashioned peat smoke. Rather docile and creamy.
Taste: Intense to very intense, austere, on lemon juice, peat smoke, tar, seaweeds, some iodine, oysters and camphor. The finish is medium to long, peaty, smoky, austere, citric, and slightly maritime, on iodine and some camphor.
Impression: The nose is rounder and more on toffee than the SMWS, while the body is smoother and slightly less citric than the 1974 SMWS. Otherwise, the whiskies are rather similar.
Rating: 16/20 PA: B7

Caol Ila 1974 53.35, 24 YO, SMWS, 58.4%, B: 1998. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, rather light, round, subtle, on lemon juice, iodine, bandages, sea shells, some vanilla, old fashioned peat smoke, parsley and on vanilla. Fresh. With time it becomes slightly more austere.
Taste: Very intense, hot, peaty, tarry, smooth, round, on oysters, lemon juice, some vanilla and oaky spicy notes. The peat is rather dry and rough. The finish is medium to long, dry, austere to very austere, very peaty and citric, on oysters, maritime and on sea salt.
Impression: A whisky rather difficult to rate. It is a very peaty, dry and austere Caol Ila, very citric and with some old peat smoke.
Rating: 16/20 PA: A8

Caol Ila 1996 for Clan Divo, 16 YO, Clan Denny, 58.2%, B:2013,  ref DH9740, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very clean, peaty, smoky, oaky, intense, maritime and with some vanilla.
Taste: Smooth, clean to very clean, oaky, peaty, citric, dry, maritime and on liquorice roots. The finish is medium, clean to very clean, slightly oaky and dry, citric, on austere peat smoke, some tar, ashes and maritime flavours.
Impression: A good, clean, citric and peaty Caol Ila.
Rating: 14/20 PA: A7

Caol Ila 1983 for Waldhaus am See, 30 YO, Signatory, 48.9%, B:2013, cask 5302, 250 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, round, peaty, slightly oaky, maritime, on seaweeds, some camphor and vanilla.
Taste: Light, slightly citric, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds and some round smoky flavours. Subtle and rather smoky. The finish is medium, smooth, mellow, maritime, smoky, peaty, slightly tarry and dry, on lemon juice and some liquorice roots.
Impression: A good, smooth, mellow and complex Caol Ila, slightly citric.
Rating: 15/20 PA: B5

Whisky Herr Lüthy Pure Swiss N°8, OB, 43%, B: 2012, 250 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Fresh to very fresh, very clean, malty and with some vanilla.
Taste: Very smooth, sweet and juicy, very clean, with lots of honey, light and pleasant floral notes.  The finish is short to medium, very smooth, clean, juicy, with some orange zest, honey and a touch of vanilla.
Impression: A very smooth and juicy whisky, rather simple, but enjoyable and pleasantly fresh. Matured in an ex-pinot wine cask and made of 100% swiss barley. The influence from the wine cask was limited.
Rating: 13/20 Price: PA: A1

Glenlivet 1973, Gordon & McPhail, 55.9%, B: 2002, Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Strong floral and pollen notes and honey drops. Let’s add quickly some water, since the nose is aggressed by the intensity of the flavours. Diluted, it becomes rounder, sweeter and fruitier.
Taste: Fresh, juicy, sweet, malty, floral, fragrant, slightly peaty and smoky, on pollen, tangerines, with some yellow fruits. Diluted, it becomes rounder and more fruity (peach, melon, mango and banana). The finish is medium to long, round, malty, powerful, very floral and slightly grassy.
Impression: A very lively and intense Glenlivet.
Rating: 18/20

Glenlivet 1961, Gordon &Macphail, 57%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, mellow, slightly grassy, on aromatic herbs, some menthol and eucalyptus, as well as some dried fruits and old bold peat smoke.
Taste: Intense to very intense, floral, very fragrant, fruity, rubbery, on old bold peat smoke, bitter and bloody oranges, tangerine, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, treacle and eucalyptus.
Impression: A very intense sherried and complex Glenlivet with some nice peat smoke.
Rating: 17/20 PA:E3

Glenlivet 1973 For Velier, 23 YO, Signatory, 43%, B:1996, butt 3301. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber.
Nose: Smooth, with some heather, eucalyptus, aromatic herbs and peat smoke. Complex.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, round, on eucalyptus, dried and dark fruits, tangerine, orange and some aromatic herbs. The finish is medium to long, slightly rubbery, aromatic, smooth, mellow, with some eucalyptus, on tangerine, fur tree wax and some wet wood.
Impression: A version surprisingly close to the BBR for the Whisky Exchange, more sherried and with some extra roundness and smoothness. A very pleasant aromatic Glenlivet.
Rating: 15/20 PA:F3

Glenlivet 1974 for The Whisky Exchange, Berry Bros & Rudd, 55.1%, B:2013, cask  8211. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Floral, smooth, slightly peaty and grassy, with some heather honey.
Taste: Spicy, floral, intense, fragrant, with some chocolate, crystallised orange, tangerine and eucalyptus. The finish is medium to long, slightly dry, fragrant, very aromatic, on eucalyptus and light smoky notes.
Impression: A very aromatic Glenlivet with strong notes of eucalyptus.
Rating: 14/20 PA:D3

Longmorn 21 YO, Adelphi, 52.1%, B: 2013, cask 48436, 256 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, floral, elegant, with some berries, polish, honey, old furniture and a hint of smoke.
Taste: Rich, juicy, smooth, floral, very fruity, with some honey, berries, melon and exotic fruits.  The finish is medium to long, smooth, mellow, fruity and slightly smoky.
Impression: A very smooth, rich, complex and rather fruity Longmorn.
Rating: 16/20 PA:A2

Longmorn 15 YO, OB, 43%, B:1980s. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, with some bitter caramel, polish, honey, berries and light fruity notes. Complex.
Taste: Smooth, sweet, slightly mineral, with some starch, tangerine, orange, peat smoke and eucalyptus. The finish is medium to long, intense, slightly mineral, austere and citric, with some peat smoke, bitter orange and tangerine.
Impression: A very enjoyable smooth, sweet and mineral Longmorn with some citric and slightly peaty notes.
Rating: 15/20 PA:C3

Glenfarclas 1992 Family Cask for the Pot Still, OB, 50.5%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Very smooth, mellow, sweet, slightly aromatic, on liquid honey and light floral notes.
Taste: Very smooth and sweet, slightly floral, on kumquats, honey, mild spices and some pastries, marzipan and melon. The finish is medium, very smooth, with some hops, melon and a fair dose of marzipan paste, as well as some floral notes.
Impression: A Glenfarclas sweeet like a candy, with a fair dose of marzipan. Thank you Bernhard.
Rating: 15/20 PA:C1

Glenfarclas 1966 Sherry Casks, 46 YO, OB, 43.2%, B:2013, 656 bottles, casks 2603-4, 3551-2. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Rich, smooth, mellow, on precious wood, figs, cherries, leather, beeswax, orange, spices, cloves, cinnamon and some chocolate. Very nice.
Taste: Deliciously smooth, sweet, rich, on complex spices, liquid honey, orange, tangerine, rancio, high quality leather, some pineapples, tropical notes and a hint of smoke. The finish is long, slightly woody and bitter, smooth, mellow, rich, spicy, on sweet notes, some orange, tangerine, cloves, cinnamon sticks, with some dark chocolate.
Impression: A very fruity and smooth Glenfarclas, rich and complex, with a moderate bitterness coming from the wood in the finish. One of the nicest old Glenfarclas I have tasted. Dangerously drinkable and fairly priced for its age (around 400 euros).
Rating: 17/20 PA:I1

Strathisla 12 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Clean to very clean, floral to very floral, with some fragrance, vanilla and a touch of caramel.
Taste: Very smooth, light floral, with some spices, vanilla and a hint of caramel. The finish is medium, very clean, floral, and slightly fragrant, with some spices, vanilla and bitter caramel.
Impression: Surprisingly, while Chivas increased the abv for Longmorn some years ago, the abv from this recently repackaged Strathisla was decreased from 43% to 40%. The whisky is very clean, simple and rather easy drinking.
Rating: 10/20 PA:C1

Yamazaki Mizunara, OB, 48%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Very smooth and fruity, malty, light, intense, on tangerine, some melon and exotic floral notes
Taste: Very smooth, fruity, sweet, and slightly smoky, on complex fruity notes, Mirabelle, some exotic fruits. The fruity notes are delicious. The finish is medium to long, slightly smoky, complex and on rich exotic fruity notes
Impression: A rich fruity and complex Yamazaki, more fruity than the other Yamazaki. The Mizunara sherry cask gives a very pleasant and rather unique flavour to the spirit.
Rating: 16/20 PA:D2

Yamazaki for The Whisky Shop 3rd Anniversary, 13 YO, OB, 59%, B: 2013, butt EO70049, 506 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, nutty, on rancio, dark fruits, sultanas, beeswax, leather, orange and some walnuts. Excellent and taste good the old and aged sherry cask whiskies.
Taste: Rich, intense, thick, syrupy, nutty, with lots of dark fruits, leather, cinnamon stick, cloves, walnut and rancio. The finish is medium to long, very bitter, complex, on rancio, walnut, dark fruits, leather, cinnamon and cloves.
Impression: A very intense thick and syrupy sherried Yamazaki, with a good dash of walnut liquor?
Rating: 17/20 PA:J1

Yamazaki Puncheon, OB, 48%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-pale gold
Nose:  Fresh, oaky to very oaky, floral, spicy, with some pear drops, light grassy and aromatic flavours.
Taste: Rich, floral, juicy to very juicy, light winey notes, exotic wood, with some grassy notes, fruits from the orchards and a slightly smoky note. The finish is medium, smooth, floral, slightly spicy and fragrant, oaky and bitter. Diluted, it becomes more bitter.
Impression: A smooth and rather sweet Yamazaki with a light sherry influence?
Rating: 13/20 PA: D1

Yamazaki Bourbon Barrel, OB, 48%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh to very fresh, juicy, malty, slightly oaky and fruity, with lots of fruits from the orchards.
Taste: Oaky, slightly spicy and winey, with sweet fruity notes, vanilla, melon, a light smokiness and floral notes. The finish is medium, fresh, oaky, on vanilla, green fruits and some wood dust.
Impression: A smooth, rather oaky-spicy Yamazaki with a pleasant fruitiness (fruits from the orchards).
Rating: 13/20 PA:A1

Ardbeg 2005 33.128 A body slam from Big Daddy, 7 YO, SMWS, 64.6%, B: 2013, 242 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Very maritime, light, salty, on seaweeds, camphor and iodine. Rather complex and subtle.
Taste: Intense, oaky to very oaky, with lots of vanilla, some toffee, liquorice roots and some tar. The finish is medium to long, dry, peaty, with lots of liquorice roots, vanilla, some tar, seaweeds and light phenolic notes.
Impression: The nose was rather light and subtle and surprisingly complex, while the oak and vanilla speaks rather loud on the palate. A rather modern version of Ardbeg.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A6

Ardbeg 1992, 21 YO, Whiskybroker, 42.5%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Intense, oaky, maritime, peaty, very smoky, on seaweeds, vanilla and some tar.
Taste: Light, slightly thin, smoky, complex, phenolic, on old bold peat smoke, with liquorice roots, tar, vanilla, seaweeds and iodine. The finish is medium to long, thin, phenolic, smoky, slightly peaty, subtle, some seaweeds, seashells, tar, bandage and iodine.
Impression: A very elegant Ardbeg, light and subtle, closer to 12 YO White label than the current production, although it has more liquorice roots flavours.
Rating: 16/20 PA:A6

Ardbeg Special White Label, OB, 80 Proof, B:1970s. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Ahh, the nose smells good the old fashioned style of Ardbeg, light, with intense and complex peat smoke and maritime flavours, camphor, iodine, some fish, seaweeds and light mineral notes. Less complex than the Ardbeg bottled 1966 White Label
Taste: Light, slightly dry, on liquorice root, tar, seaweeds, some iodine, old dry peat smoke and some toffee. The finish is medium, light, phenolic, on peat smoke, some bonfire smoke, liquorice roots, sea breeze, some tar and bandages. With a long peaty retro-olfaction.
Impression: A very nice old-fashioned Ardbeg with long, nice and complex peat smoke flavours that seems to last forever. The whisky is rather light, medium peated and seems lower than 80 proof (46%).
Rating: 16/20 PA:A6

Tormore 1988, 25 YO, Single Malts of Scotland, 64.2%, B: 2013, cask 603, 194 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Floral, smooth to very smooth, with some honey, lots of pollen and some homemade fudge.
Taste: Very spicy, slightly peppery, with smooth and round floral notes, on pollen, butter fudge and light round fruity notes (melon and quince). The finish is medium, spicy, floral, with some white pepper, pollen, some honey and liquorice roots.
Impression: A very smooth, round and rather fruity Tormore, with a dash of pepper. A well made and most enjoyable whisky.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A1

Port Ellen Old Particular 1982, 31 YO, Douglas Laing, 51.5%, B: 2013, Ref DL9964. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Smooth, mellow, slightly peaty, maritime, with some turpentine and a fair dose of seawater
Taste: Smooth, mellow, dry, maritime, with lots of hops, on iodine, phenols, some liquorice roots, sea shells and vanilla. Subtle and complex. The finish is medium, mellow, complex, subtle, and maritime, on seaweeds, peat, some iodine and bandages. Diluted, the hops are becoming stronger.
Impression: A medium peated Port Ellen, subtle, slightly thin, rather phenolic and maritime, with the age starting to show off.
Rating: 14/20 PA:A5

Kilchoman Machir Bay, OB, 46%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Farmy, oaky, peaty, phenolic, smoky and lightly maritime. More intense and peaty than the 100% Islay 3rd edition.
Taste: Light, floral, peaty, very smoky, slightly farmy, rather complex, with some soot. The finish is long, oaky, peaty, smoky, phenolic, slightly farmy and aromatic. The complexity of the peaty flavours is impressive.
Impression: Woaw: a complex peaty flavours and a rather well matured Kilchoman. A very good whisky that I enjoyed very much. Looking forward more Kilchoman of this quality!
Rating: 14/20 PA:A6

Kilchoman 100% Islay 3rd edition, OB, 50%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Peaty, sweet, maritime, rather smooth and smoky and slightly farmy. More oaky and floral, as well as less peaty than the TWE bottling.
Taste:  Young, rather light andsweet, phenolic, peaty, smoky, on seaweeds and some sea spray. The finish is medium, peaty, fragrant, slightly floral, bitter (gentian) and young, on vanilla, sea spray and seaweeds. Rather phenolic in the retro-olfaction.
Impression: This third edition remains rather young to my taste, with some light improvement over the second edition. Does the 100% Islay requires a longer maturation than the other Kilchoman?
Rating: 09/20 PA:A5

Highland Park Sigurd, OB, 43%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose:  Smooth, very vegetal, rubbery, slightly yeasty, with some walnut, camphor, toffee and crème brulée.
Taste: Dry, fragrant, vegetal, rubbery to very rubbery, salty, and fruity, on tangerine and some camphor. The finish is medium, rubbery, smooth, slightly maritime, on tyre and some heather.
Impression: A fresh, intense and rubbery Highland Park, fierce and probably rather young. A rather mundane Highland Park?
Rating: 11/20 PA:F2

Highland Park 1968 Orcadian Vintage, 45.6%, B: 2009, 1550 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, juicy, fruity, sweet, slightly thin, on heather honey, a touch of chocolate, some peat smoke, tangerine and candied oranges, with light grassy notes.
Taste: Salty, thin, slightly woody, smoky, with some heather honey, tangerine, orange, seaweeds and old wood. The finish is medium, slightly woody, smoky, with some tangerine, on heather honey, some salt and seaweeds, as well as some bonfire smoke.
Impression: A pleasant, smooth and mellow Highland Park, rather complex, but thin to very thin and leaving the woody notes to be rather present. The price tag was rather hefty (£2,250)
Rating: 15/20 PA:E2

Highland Park Ragnvard For Travel Retail, OB, 44.6%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, with some old bold smoke, heather, orange and Christmas cake. Rather soft.
Taste: Mellow, slightly aromatic, phenolic, slightly salty, and rather complex, with some camphor, bandages, eucalyptus, wallnuts, honey, orange and tangerine. The finish is medium, rather oaky and tannic, on eucalyptus, nuts, orange, tangerine, salt and seaweeds. Diluted, it becomes even smoother.
Impression: A good Highland Park, in the style of the 8 YO Ferratero, with some more intensity but also drier and slightly astringent.
Rating: 15/20 PA:F3

Highland Park 8 YO for Ferratero, OB, 43%, B: 1980s. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth, mellow, smoky, slightly peaty and maritime, on humus and some cardboard.
Taste: Soft, smooth, very mellow, on old fashioned peat smoke, sea salt, seaweeds, orange, tangerine, heather and some humus. The finish is medium, salty, maritime, smoky, slightly peaty, on humus, some eucalyptus, tangerine, orange, seaweeds and with some cardboard and liquorice.
Impression:  A nice old-fashioned Highland Park, rather complex and soft. An enjoyable and easy drinking whisky. Several versions of the 8 YO exist and this one was the one with the 8 YO in a round label and the bottle with round shoulders.
Rating: 14/20 PA:E3

Cragganmore 1993, 20 YO, Wilson & Morgan, 50%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Smooth, on cooked and candied fruits, waxy, on beeswax, a hint of smoke, some tangerine, peach, apricots and other fruits. Well balanced.
Taste: Spicy, slightly coastal and salty, juicy, rich, slightly waxy and grassy, on cooked fruits, fruit jam, some smoke and nice round aromatic and floral notes. The finish is medium, waxy, grassy, fruity, bold, and slightly spicy, on cooked fruits, apples, pears, tangerine, some sultanas, melon a hint of peat smoke and some other fruity and slightly floral notes.
Impression: A lovely whisky, well balanced, harmonious, bold, rich and fruity. A whisky definitely worth trying than I thoroughly enjoyed.
Rating: 17/20 PA:D3

Cragganmore 1989 Small batch, Cadenhead’s, 57.5%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour:  Old gold
Nose: Light, floral to very floral, slightly fragrant and creamy, with some heather, smoke, tobacco and some menthol.
Taste: Floral to very floral, fragrant, on tangerine, honey, heather, some aromatic herbs. Smells like a field in summer full of diverse flowers. The finish is medium to long, very spicy and hot. Some water is then quickly added to soften the whole, becoming grassy, intensely floral, on heather, some geranium and summer flowers, as well as some mustard and eucalyptus.
Impression: An intense and spicy Cragganmore, with a mild sherry influence, becoming softer and more floral once water has been added. This new range of small batch from Cadenhead’s is a new and welcomed addition to the Cadenhead’s product. They are old, round and rather whiskies including several from ex-sherry casks and rather fairly priced. The majority of them was pleasant and the rating might appear low, since I missed some intensity in some of them or e.g., for the Longmorn, it might now have been what I expected from this distillery. In any case, I would recommend you to taste them so that you can make your own opition.
Rating: 13/20 PA:D2

Macduff 1983 Small batch, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 53.3%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Intense, meaty, farmy, with some burnt matches, parsley, old leather and some rubber. Becoming more floral over time.
Taste: Thick, floral, juicy, on orange juice (Fanta), rubber, some salt and spices, as well as some sulphur and game. The finish is medium, floral, fragrant, bitter, syrupy, spicy, on tannins, leather, rubber, cloves and game.
Impression: The combination of rubber, game and fragrance is not really my cup of tea. If you don’t mind these flavours or looking for them, then you should enjoy this one, since the quality is otherwise pretty good.
Rating: 13/20 PA:F1

Caperdonich 1977 Small batch, 35 YO, Cadenhead’s, 50.2%, B: 2013, 348 bottles. Price:
Colour:  Old gold-amber
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, aromatic, floral, on honey, humus, a hint of eucalyptus, and some lemon cake
Taste: Oaky, fragrant to very fragrant, thick, chewy, grassy, on eucalyptus, game (pheasant), honey and treacle. The finish is long, very thick, syrupy, bitter, rubbery, fragrant to very fragrant, on honey, cloves, cinnamon, leather, tannins, marmalade, heater and floral notes.
Impression: A very thick and chewy Caperdonich, rather fragrant and rubbery, slightly too much for me. If you like sherry monsters, then you will probably lover this one.
Rating: 14/20 PA: J1

Longmorn 1987 Small Batch, 26 YO, Cadenhead’s, 49.5%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Round, floral, slightly fruity, with some melon, peach and some sour berries.
Taste: Fresh, floral to very floral, intense, slightly soapy and with a hint of eucalyptus and some tangerine. The finis is medium, floral, rather spicy and light, with some tangerine and round oaky notes.
Impression: A particularly round and floral version of Longmorn.
Rating: 13/20 PA: A1

Aberlour 1989 Small Batch, 23 YO, Cadenhead's, 54.9%, B:2013. Price:
Colour:  Gold
Nose: Oaky, on wet grass, some humus, damp earth and honey. Given time, it becomes smoother and more floral, with less heavy “wet” notes.
Taste: Slightly oaky, on ginger, some notes of white wine, heather, lots of vanilla, some nuts and a touch of honey and melon. The finish is medium, slightly mineral and floral, with a touch of smoke, some heather, honey, ginger, fruits from the Orchards and a lot of vanilla.
Impression: A rather well rounded, satisfying Aberlour, with nice fresh notes of fruits from the Orchards and with very strong vanilla notes.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A1

Bowmore 25 YO Small Batch Release, OB, 43%, B: 2013. Price:
Nose: Very smooth, soft, medium peaty, smoky, rather silky and mineral, on tar, creosote, cold ashes, dried meat and seaweeds.
Taste: Smooth, soft, mellow, slightly floral, peaty, smoky, slightly citric, on orange, tangerine, seaweeds and some chocolate. The finish is medium, soft, smooth, slightly mineral and woody, with some tangerine, orange, chocolate and seaweeds.
Impression: A rather soft, smooth, mellow and round Bowmore, rather complex but also slightly woody and tired.
Rating: 14/20 PA:F4

Tomatin 35 YO, Small Batch, Cadenheads, 44.1%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Smooth to very smooth, rather mellow, fruity, with diverse light fruity notes and a light smokiness. Elegant, with the flavours well balanced.
Taste: Spicy, smoky, fruity to very fruity, with some humus, lots of pineapples, melon, exotic fruits and sweet tangerines. The finish is medium to long, on pineapples, pomegranate, some citrus, tangerine, with some smoke and humus.
Impression: A charming, sweet, smooth and fruity Tomatin with plenty of fruity notes, mainly pineapples. An alternative to the 1976 Tomatin fruit bombs?
Rating: 15/20 PA:E2

Tomatin Legacy, OB, 43%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Fresh, clean, light, oaky, slightly juicy, with some pear drops, clean floral notes and freshly cut wood.
Taste: Juicy, oaky,  slightly buttery, with some freshly sawn wood, wood spices, some pear drops, a hint of smoke, some melon and lemon tart. The influence of virigin oak is well present. The finish is medium, oaky, buttery, with some lemon pie and tobacco leaves. Diluted, it becomes more on tobacco leaves, cheap white wine and bitter lemon.
Impression: With the Cu Bocan, this is the latest release of Tomatin, a combination of bourbon and virgin oak casks. The juicy oaky and woody-spicy notes suggest a fair proportion of virgin oak casks in the mix and a rather young age. The whisky is pleasant when drank neat, while with some water it becomes rather bitter and less balanced.
Rating: 11/20 PA:A1

Talisker Triple Matured Edition for the Friends of Classic Malts, OB, 48%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose:  Smooth, rather floral, with heavy oaky notes, humus, some old smoke, toffee, prunes and slight meaty notes.
Taste: Very smooth and creamy, slightly peppery, round peat smoke, some seaweeds and orange, honey and wet wood. The finish is medium, round, mellow, with some artichoke, peat smoke, wet wood, humus and some creamy notes.
Impression: A surprising Talisker, with intense sherry notes and rich oaky notes. Much heavier than the Talisker 10 YO or the new Talisker storm. Some might miss the intense peppery note of the Talisker, while other might enjoy a new and different version of Talisker. In addition to the Talisker and Royal Lochnagar, 4 additional version of Triple Matured single malts will be launched in the months to come.
Rating: 12/20 PA:F3

Royal Lochnagar Triple Matured Edition for the Friends of Classic Malts, OB, 48%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, rich, oaky, nutty, intense, deep, on almonds, apple pie with some cinnamon, leather, orange, humus and spices.
Taste: Smooth, spicy, rather dry, sugary, with loads of almonds, treacle, chocolate, orange, spices, apple pie, some humus and cinnamon sticks. Diluted, it becomes rather nutty and spicier (black pepper). The finish is medium, mellow, oaky to very oaky, on humus, almonds, tangerine, some vanilla, soft spices and treacle.
Impression: A rich and spicy version of Lochnagar with a heavy oaky influence contributing to mellow treacle and almond flavours. A heavier, smoother and mellower version than the standard Lochnagar. A whisky to savour during the winter nights. A version limited to UK, Germany and Switzerland.
Rating: 14/20 PA:G2

BenRiach 1998 Triple Distilled/Pedro Ximinez Sherry Finish, OB, 56.1%, B: 2013, cask 7633, 630 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, light, very round, slightly floral, with lots of toffee, on fudge and yeast extracts.
Taste: Very light, smooth, slightly floral and malty, on toffee, tangerine, vanilla and fudge The finish is rather short, very light, soft, floral, slightly fragrant, with a hint of smoke, some tangerine, orange and toffee.
Impression: This is a rather special BenRiach since this is a triple distilled BenRiach with a final maturation in a Pedro Ximinez sherry cask. Notes of toffee dominate the nose, while these flavours are less pronounced on the palate and more fruity-juicy. This is a light whisky showing the variety of profiles from this distillery.
Rating:13/20 PA:G2

BenRiach 1996 Pedro Ximinez for Best Taste Trading, 17 YO, OB, 53.2%, B: 2013, Hogshead cask 5615, 308 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, on smooth sherry notes, spices, cinnamon, some cardamom, Christmas cask and high grade rubber.
Taste: Very smooth, rich, spicy, floral, round, on cinnamon, Christmas spices, some leather, tangerine, orange. Complex. The finish is medium, smooth, round, on soft spices, cinnamon, leather, tangerine, orange.
Impression: A lovely, charming, rich, complex and smooth BenRiach, very pleasant to drink and leaving a most pleasant feeling on the palate, with a thin smokiness.
Rating: 15/20 PA:F1

BenRiach 1996 Pedro Ximinez for Best Taste Trading, OB, 53.4%, B:2013, cask 5609, 282 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, floral, slightly creamy, on vanilla custard, cinnamon and some Christmas cake. More oaky and less sherried than the cask 5615.
Taste: Fresh, floral, very round, spicy, slightly creamy, on ginger bread, cinnamon, Christmas cake, orange peel and some tangerine. The finish is medium, oaky to very oaky, floral, slightly fragrant, on orange peel, some rubber, yeast extracts, butter and cream.
Impression: This BenRiach taste like the Virgin oak with a moderate round and sweet sherry finish. Different from the cask 5615.
Rating: 13/20 PA:E1

BenRiach 1996 Virgin Oak for Best Taste Trading, 17 YO, OB, 55.1%, B: 2013, cask 7966, 361 bottles. Price:
Colour: Gold-old gold
Nose: Oaky, creamy, smooth, juicy, slightly spicy, with freshly sawn oak and some floral notes.
Taste: Very creamy, smooth, buttery, floral, spicy, round, with some candied lemon, fruits from the ochards and on freshly sawn oak. The finish is medium and on the same flavors.
Impression: A very creamy, buttery smooth and well balanced BenRiach, with an intense contribution of the virgin oak cask, without being excessive.
Rating: 13/20 PA:A1

Balmenach 1988 For The Whisky Exchange, 25 YO, Signatory, 55.6%, cask 1132,  187 bottles. B:2013. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Very smooth, soft, round, floral, fruity and lots of end of spring flowers, pineapples and stewed fruits. Rather strong on exotic fruits.
Taste: Spicy, fresh, floral, oaky, slightly fragrant, intense, with some pepper, banana and vanilla custard. Needs some water. Diluted, it becomes waxier, on honeycomb, with slightly more fruity (exotic fruits) and creamier. The finish is medium to long, oaky, spicy, and peppery, with some chilli, vanilla custard, cream, banana and some hay. Diluted, the finish is creamier and more on banana.
Impression: A very nice rich and intense Balmenach, that benefits from some water to increase the creamy and waxy characteristics of this well made whisky.
Rating: 15/20 PA:A1

Blair Athol 1997 for Divo, 15 YO, Clan Denny, 54.3%, B:2013, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour : Gold
Nose : Fresh, floral, clean, slightly nutty and juicy.
Taste : Rich to very rich, nutty, oaky, floral, slightly creamy, with some toffee and walnuts. The finish is medium to long, slightly bitter, rather rich, intense, spicy, nutty, slightly winey, with some walnuts and smoke.
Impression : An intense, spicy and nutty Blair Athol, enjoyable and well made.
Rating : 14/20 PA:C2

Tamdhu 10 YO, OB, 40%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour: Old gold
Nose: Big, intense, bold, with lots of toffee and fudge, some vegetal extracts and faint floral notes.
Taste: Very smooth, soft, floral, creamy, on fudge and spices, with a hint of smoke and maybe some light sea breeze? The finish is medium to long, soft, smooth, creamy, on fudge with some light spicy notes.
Impression: A very smooth, soft and delicate whisky, almost silky, with pleasant notes of cream fudge. A nice treat. Suprisingly, it is only bottled at 40%, while most whiskies are bottled nowadays at 43% or 46%.
Rating: 14/20 PA:F1

Tamdhu 1958, 42 YO, Hart Brothers, 40.8%, B:2000. Price:
Colour: Old gold.
Nose: Smooth, velvety, on plums, melon, guava, mango, some tannins and some sweet and candied fruits.
Taste: Smooth, slightly bitter and tannic, slightly grassy, sweet, with some coriander, melon and mango. The finish is medium to long, smooth, with some plums and wallnuts, some sweet fruits, lacquer and humus.
Impression: A very nice smooth and mellow venerable Tamdhu.
Rating: 16/20 PA:D3

Tamdhu 1980 Private Stock, 33 YO, The Whisky Agency, 55.7%, B:2013, 132 bottles. Price:
Colour: Old gold-amber
Nose: Very smooth, round, mellow, fruity, bold, slightly earthy, with some humus, exotic fruits and some smoke.
Taste: Fruity, zesty, on orange, tangerine, grapefruit, some smoke, humus. The finish is medium, rich, bold, waxy, with some mustard seeds, tannins, leather, orange, grapefruit, tangerine and light notes of dark chocolate.
Impression: An excellent nice round and bold Tamdhu, on soft spices and round sherry notes. Most pleasant.
Rating: 16/20 PA:H2

Tamdhu 2001 Hepburn's choice, 12 YO, Hunter Laing, 46%, B :2013, 367 bottles. Price:
Colour : Straw
Nose : Nutty to very nutty, rather intense, clean, malty, slightly floral with some toffee.
Taste : Smooth, sweet to very sweet, fruity, creamy, with some smoke, tangerine and other sweet fruity flavours. Very good and complex. The finish is medium, sweet, smooth, rather bold, slightly smoky and floral, with some light notes of humus. Diluted, it becomes spicier, more on caramel and with liquorice roots.
Impression : A fine whisky, bold, intense, complex and with pleasant fruity notes. Very elegant and pleasant to drink. A good value whisky.
Rating : 15/20 FP:D2

Braeval 2001 Hepburn’s Choice, 12 YO, Hunter Laing, 46%, B:2013. Price:
Colour: Straw
Nose: Intense, floral to very floral, light, on spring flowers, spices, some ginger and caramel.
Taste: Very floral and fresh, slightly malty, with some germanium, summer flowers, cardamom, some ginger and other light spicy notes. The finish is medium, floral to very floral, light, with a hint of smoke, some fragrance and end of spring flowers. Diluted, it becomes even more floral and fragrant.
Impression: A light, very floral and fresh Braeval with light spicy notes. The quality of the new Hepburn whisky range is good to excellent. The common feature seems to be a light influence from the oak, while the spirit is well matured. Fairly priced. The Hepburn is a new entry-level range of Hunter Laing of single cask bottlings.
Rating: 12/20 FP:A1

Glenturret for Hunter Laing 1986, 26 YO, OB, 46.8%, B:2013, 2400 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold
Nose: Aromatic, floral, light, slightly fragrant, slightly earthy, on humus, some fruits from the orchards and a touch of vanilla.
Taste: Waxy, bold, fragrant, slightly floral, with some humus, a thin touch of eucalyptus, some nice mushrooms and a thin underlying fruitiness.  The finish is medium to long, bold, slightly nutty, floral and fragrant, on humus, mushrooms (bolets) and hops. Diluted, it becomes more on hops.
Impression: A good and pleasant Glenturret, with pronounced notes of hops and without any excessive notes of eucalyptus that are often present in aged Glenturret. Glenturret has a strong personality and nicely showing off in this version, since the wood influence is very limited. If you like beer and whisky, then this one should work very nicely for you.
Official bottling for independent bottlers is not uncommon in Germany and for other European "mainland" countries, but rare for a Scottish independent bottler.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A2

Laphroaig 2000 for Divo, 12 YO, Clan Denny, 56.3%  B: 2013, ref: DH9738, 150 bottles. Price:
Colour: Pale gold.
Nose: Peaty, oaky, on seaweeds, some mushrooms and disinfectant.
Taste: Oaky, maritime, sweet, on mushrooms, disinfectant, tar and iodine. The finish is long, dry, on liquorice roots, some anise seeds, disinfectant, iodine, seaweeds and tar. Diluted, it becomes more rooty and on disinfectant.
Impression: A fresh oaky and rooty Laphroaig, with water releasing strong notes of disinfectant.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A7

Laphroaig 1979, 17 YO, Glenscoma, 53.5%. Price:
Colour: Gold
Nose: Peaty, on disinfectant, strong and intense notes of pink grapefruits and other fruity notes. Smells very good the old fashioned Laphroaig. Lovely.
Taste: Intense, salty, maritime, peaty, with strong intense and sweet gorgeous notes of pink grapefruit, as well as some tar and other citric notes. The finish is long, slightly dry, peaty, salty, maritime, tarry, slightly austere and on pink grapefruit.
Impression:  The Laphroaig from the 1970s have a very high reputation amongst the Laphroaig aficionados and this one is no exception, with gorgeous sweet notes of pink grapefruit resulting in an excellent and most enjoyable whisky.
Rating: 18/20 FP:A6

Laphroaig 1997 Director’s Cut, 15 YO, Douglas Laing, 53.4%, B: 2013, ref 9843. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Very clean, peaty, intense, maritime, slightly fishy and with some liquorice roots.
Taste: Smooth, rooty, peaty, maritime, slightly mineral, oaky, on phenols, liquorice roots, some tar and vanilla. The finish is medium to long, oaky, phenolic, tarry, maritime, with some seaweeds, vanilla and disinfectant.
Impression: A clean and modern Laphroaig, slightly zesty and with a “clean cut”.
Rating: 14/20 FP:A6

Laphroaig 1998, Samaroli, 45%, B:2013. Ref 700550. Price:
Colour: Pale gold-gold
Nose: Smooth, on intense smooth peaty notes, disinfectant, bandages and TCP,  seaweeds, as well as some delicate and subtle smoky notes.
Taste: Soft, smooth, on delicate peat smoke, complex maritime notes, some disinfectant, bandages, seaweeds, some sea spray and a light sweetness. The finish is on long lingering and mouth-coating peat smok.
Impression: A soft, complex, subtle and very enjoyable whisky, with long and rich smoky flavours.
Rating: 16/20 FP:A6

GlenDronach 1971, 42 YO, OB, 44.6%, B:2013, PX puncheon cask 1246, 432 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, rich to very rich, mellow, floral, some leather, with delicious notes of berries, prunes and some exotic woods
Taste: Meaty to very meaty, smooth, slightly woody and astringent, with some walnut, tannins, old leather, rubber, game and prune. Diluted, it becomes syrupy and more astringent. The finish is long, slightly astringent and woody, on berries, prunes, tannins, cinnamon and walnut.
Impression: The nose was deliciously smooth and rich, but the age starts to show off in the finish with its woody and slightly astringent notes.
Rating: 16/20 FP:J2

GlenDronach 1992, 21 YO, OB, 58.1%, B:2013, cask 145, 598 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fresh, fruity, slightly zesty and velvety, on orange peel, some mild spices, red berries, precious wood, leather and light floral notes.
Taste: Spicy to very spicy, intense, rich, slightly salty and smoky, on leather, some tannins, dark chocolate and some coffee. The finish is medium to long, on dark and bitter chocolate, some floral and fragrant notes, spices, some coffee and fruity (mainly orange) notes
Impression: A very good, fresh and intense GlenDronach, with a finish marked by rather intense dark and bitter chocolate aromas.
Rating: 15/20 FP:J1

GlenDronach 1991, 21 YO, OB, 49.8%, B: 2013, cask 5409, 716 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, thick, slightly floral, velvety, with some berries, dark fruits, banana, cardamom, some passion fruits and light honey notes.
Taste: Intense, thick, heavily sherried, on orange zest, tannins, leather, spices, chocolate, floral notes and some smoke. The finish is medium to long, rich, very spicy, on orange zest, with some cinnamon stick, tannins, leather, figs, strawberries, sultanas and beeswax.
Impression:  I really enjoyed this whisky, with intense and rather thick sherry notes, without noticeable rubbery notes or any excessive tannic notes. A GlenDronach like I like them.
Rating: 16/20 FP:J1

GlenDronach 1991, 19 YO, OB, 55.4%, cask 2406, 532 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Fruity to very fruity, intense, floral, on beeswax, varnish and some leather.
Taste: Salty, fresh, fruity, slightly smoky, intense, rich, with some varnish, tangerine, orange and light grassy notes. The finish is medium, rather light, fresh, on orange zest, tangerine, some berries and milk chocolate.
Impression: A good, fresh, rather floral and zesty GlenDronach.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I1

GlenDronach 1990 For Lateltin, 22 YO, OB, 52.1%, B: 2012, PX Puncheon 1160, 718 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, rich, slightly rubbery to rubbery (fresh rubber), on spices, cinnamon, cloves, orange, leather and tannins.
Taste: Smooth, floral, slightly fragrant, tannic, and rubbery to very rubbery, on tannins, leather, mocha and orange. The finish is medium to long, very rubbery, chewy, on tannins, leather, dark fruits and some other sweeter fruity notes.
Impression: A very intense, rich and chewy GlenDronach, with rubbery notes too pronounced to my liking, For the heavy sherry freaks.
Rating: 12/20 FP:J1

GlenDronach 1990, 22 YO, OB, 50.8%, B: 2013, cask 2971, 604 bottles. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Smooth, round, floral, slightly fragrant, on berries, rubber, leather, orange and Christmas cake. Rounder and smoother than cask 1169 and much less rubbery as well.
Taste: Smooth to very smooth, sweet, juicy, on tangerine, orange, some papaya, leather, cinnamon powder, some cloves, berries and some light aromatic flavours as well.
Impression: A very good, sweet and rather fruity version of GlenDronach. Very pleasant to drink.
Rating: 15/20 FP:I1

GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 2, OB, 55.2%, B: 2012. Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: Intense, rich, spicy, on leather, some tannins, Christmas cake, berries, sweet oranges, some dark chocolate, dark fruits, raisins and a slight smokiness.
Taste: Smooth, creamy, floral, with some milk chocolate, orange, leather, tannins, sultanas, berries and dark fruits. The finish is medium, floral, rather creamy and floral, with a mixture of milk and dark chocolate, some leather, tannins and geranium notes.
Impression: A nice round GlenDronach with rather intense sherry notes and a pleasant complexity. A good value alternative to single cask.
Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

GlenDronach Octarine, 8 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2013. Price:
Colour:  Old gold
Nose: Fresh, slightly spicy, floral, with some leather, berries, oranges, peach and Christmas spices. A nice fresh and rather light GlenDronach sherry nose.
Taste: Sweet, smooth, fresh, slightly floral, on peach, some melon, light spices, with some raspberries, vanilla and tangerine. The finish was medium, smooth, sweet, on peach and some melon.
Impression: A light and refreshing version of Glendronach, with notes of peach. It is not marked by the sherry as much as most of the other products of the range, but I find the Octarine very pleasant to drink, in particular if you are looking for drinking sometimes a lighter and more easy to drink GlenDronach.
Rating: 13/20 FP:E1

Ardbeg 1976 Feis Ile 2002, OB, 53.1%, B: 2002, cask 2390, 494 bottles, Price:
Colour: Amber
Nose: The aromatic intensity is impressive. Just after pouring a wee sample in a glass, some delicious notes of peat smoke, fruits and cold ashes are perceived 50 cm away from the glass. Closer to the glass, some beautiful rich and complex peaty notes are experienced, with some round notes of orange, tangerines, strong maritime notes, on kelps, iodine and other phenolic aromas. Meaty as well. Simply excellent.
Taste: Peaty, smoky, tarry, maritime, meaty, on cocoa, orange, tangerine, soot, smoked meat, iodine, seaweeds, and seawater. Diluted, it becomes smoother, mellower, with some hand made fudge and Swiss milk chocolate. The finish is long to very long, slightly dry, maritime, on cocoa, iodine, disinfectant, old and dry peat smoke, smoked meat, some tangerine and orange, as well as some other light fruity notes.
Impression: A stunning example of Ardbeg, with a beautiful peatiness and smokiness, as well as some restrained notes of sherry contributing to a very complex and well balanced whisky, while retained the dry and iodine notes of Ardbeg from that period. My favourite sherried Ardbeg remains the Provenance, but this one comes very close to it. A delicious experience.
Rating: 19/20 FP:E7